Northern California Preseason All-State: Preview

Jacob Gray SS / 2B / DE LA SALLE HIGH SCHOOL, CA / 2028

From 9/15/25: “Gray was sitting just outside the Top 10 after a solid showing this spring playing for De La Salle in Northern California. Then came the reports into Associate Director NorCal Hank LoForte of the uber athletic shortstops showing this summer where Gray showed he was taking the next steps in his development. The loud showing with intriguing projection still ahead for Gray push him back into the Top 10 heading into his sophomore year.” 

Cooper Benjamin LHP / OF / Marin Catholic High School, CA / 2027

From 2/26/25: “Benjamin gave up only one hit over three innings of work to secure the save in the season opener for Marin Catholic, mixing in 5 strikeouts across the outing. Benjamin mixed his spots well with his fastball to both righties and lefties, getting called strikes at the bottom of the zone and generating whiffs at the top. Benjamin showcased a couple of nice breaking balls with his slider, sitting 73-75, being thrown in the zone for called strikes and a curveball used late in the count. Benjamin punctuated the outing by striking out the side to end the game. Generating a lot of weak contact and a good number of called strikes and whiffs, Benjamin is one to keep an eye on for Marin Catholic.” 

Nico Busalacchi 1B / RHP / Del Oro High, CA / 2027

From 6/10/25: “Busalacchi is coming off a long season with his Del Oro team, I got the chance to see Nico a couple times during the season and he’s one of the more impressive left handed bats in the ‘27 class. Busalacchi stands at 6’0” 216.9 lbs with a grip strength of 136 on both hands. During the defensive part of the workout, Busalacchi displayed good footwork at first base, with an infield velocity of 79 mph, showing he can get the ball across the diamond and to second base. Busalacchi was by far one of the most talented bats of the day, blasting balls all over the field at Franklin High School, which is a very big yard. Busalacchi had a max EV of 104.5 mph, even poking a home run out the opposite way during BP. His average EV was 98.3 mph which was an event best, his max distance was 379ft, with an impressive hard hit rate of 92.3%. For the size of Busalacchi he will surprise you with some speed, he ran a 7.39 60 yard dash with a run speed of 18.2 mph. Lefty first baseman who can swing it are always a hot commodity, Busalacchi is set to have a huge summer, I think once he figures out his bat to ball skills and gets the average up a little, he’s going to be a very dangerous hitter in the next upcoming years.”

Drew Asadorian 3B / OF / Acalanes, CA / 2027

From 10/26/25: “Asadorian continued to prove he’s one of the more advanced left-handed bats in his class. Standing 5’9” and 185 lbs, Asadorian had a strong, compact build that played to his advantage at the plate. He posted solid athletic testing numbers across the board with a 7.05 60-yard dash, 20.0 mph top run speed, and a 20.9-inch vertical jump, showing a well-rounded athletic profile with strength and coordination. His 1.60 RSI max and excellent grip strength (133.9 right / 137.7 left) further highlighted the physicality that translated into his offensive game. At the plate, Asadorian put together a standout BP round among the lefties in his group, showed impressive barrel control and the ability to consistently drive the baseball with authority. He recorded a 101.5 mph max exit velocity, a 97.6 mph average EV (event best), and a 366-foot max distance, showcasing one of the most consistent rounds of hard contact on the day. His max bat speed of 73.9 mph and 21.6 mph max hand speed reflected the fast hands and strong rotation through the zone that allow him to produce pull-side power without sacrificing control. Asadorian plays with energy and intent, bringing a gritty edge to his game that stands out. His swing works with rhythm and confidence, and the bat speed, strength, and consistent contact give him a chance to anchor a lineup at the next level. With two more years of development ahead of him in high school, there’s still plenty of ceiling to tap into. The foundation is already in place for a true middle-of-the-order bat, and the sky’s the limit for what he can become as the physical tools continue to mature.”

Giovanni Castaing C / 3B / Novato High, CA / 2027

From 7/24/25: 

Positional Profile: C Defensive backstop, who pairs aggressive hacks with a solid bat.
Body: 5-9, 175-pounds. Physically strong frame, with noticeable athleticism. Compact build with room for further development.
Hit: RHH. Sets up upright in a balanced stance with a slight crouch. Hands rest at shoulder height with a subtle barrel waggle. Initiates the load by sinking into the back knee as the hands drift slightly, tipping the barrel vertical. Utilizes a small leg kick into a longer stride forward, landing balanced and controlled. Fires hips at foot strike with hands quick to follow, creating strong separation. Stays short to contact with length through the zone, showcasing solid bat speed while working slightly uphill to generate lift and carry up the middle. Flashes pull-side pop while showing ability to drive the ball to all fields.
Power: 96 max exit velocity, averaged 93.0 mph. 366' max distance.
Arm: RH. C-80 mph. Quick, compact arm action working off clean, efficient transfers. Shows present arm speed from a 3/4 slot, producing consistent throws on line to the bag.
Defense: 1.90-2.01 pop times. Demonstrates athleticism behind the plate with a one-knee setup and consistent footwork. Showcases soft hands while receiving and is quick out of the crouch. Solid blocking skills round out a well-balanced defensive profile. 

Conner Cleary C / 1B / Ukiah High, CA / 2028

From 9/26/25:

Positional Profile: C/1B Highly projectable catcher with strong defensive tools and emerging impact potential from the left side.
Body: 5-11, 188-pounds. Broad, well-proportioned frame with present strength and room to continue adding physicality.
Hit: LHH. Wide, balanced base with a quiet upper half and hands set just below the back shoulder. Slightly flared back elbow. Loads mainly with the upper half into a low leg-kick stride. Hands work outward early, creating length but generating leverage through the zone. Strong hip rotation helps produce firm contact, flashing impact when synced. 69 mph bat speed with 16 G's of rotational acceleration.
Power: 94 max exit velocity, averaged 87.6 mph. 361' max distance.
Arm: RH. C-74 mph. High 3/4 slot with a short, quick arm stroke. Fast release, keeping the throws low to the bag.
Defense: 2.00-2.06 pop times. Athletic, flexible setup with a clean transfer. Quick lateral movement and efficient footwork allow him to get out of the crouch rapidly. Receiving continuing to refine.
ATH: 7.56 runner in the 60. 1.71 and 4.08 in the 10 and 30 yard splits. 20.20 max vertical.
Vizual Edge: 74.67 Edge Score

Dalton Deadman OF / SS / Petaluma High, CA / 2027

From 10/26/25: “Deadman put together one of the more complete and impressive performances of the event, standing out in nearly every measurable category. Listed at 6’0” 168 lbs, the athletic and lean outfielder from Petaluma continued to trend upward with noticeable physical gains and improved explosiveness throughout his frame. He posted several event-best metrics, including a 6.92 60-yard dash, 20.0 mph top run speed, and a 27.9-inch vertical jump, all of which speak to his natural twitch and overall athleticism. His 1.38 RSI max and exceptional grip strength (132.6 right / 128.8 left) further underline his quick-twitch power and functional strength. At the plate, Deadman turned heads with one of the loudest rounds of batting practice on the day, recording a 103.2 mph max exit velocity, a 94.7 mph average EV, and a 384-foot max distance. He showed advanced barrel control for his age, producing consistent hard contact to all fields. With a max hand speed of 24.8 mph and a 71.7 mph max bat speed, the swing is fast and efficient, generating easy lift and backspin off the barrel. There’s clear power starting to surface as his strength develops, and the swing mechanics suggest even more upside ahead. Deadman put multiple balls on top of the batting cages in right field, lots of controlled voleice in the swing. Defensively, Deadman’s athleticism and instincts give him a chance to stay in center field long-term, though his speed and arm strength (88 mph OF velo), would also play well in right field. He moved with confidence and covers ground efficiently, with the quickness and reads you want to see from a high-level outfield prospect.”

Bryce Farris 3B / OF / Whitney High, CA / 2027

From 6/1/25: “The swiss army knife of the event in my opinion, Farris is another player who I’ve gotten to follow pretty closely this high school season, he led all of Whitney in hitting this year. Farris got his day going by running a 6.76 60 YD dash with a top speed of 20.4 mph. Ferris weighed in at 6’0” 174.4 lbs, 151 (right hand), & 131 (left hand) for grip strength, and a max vertical of 26.2 inches. Farris possesses a bunch of tools all over the diamond, in the outfield he had an even best 96 mph and displayed athletic actions to where he could potentially be able to play out on the grass in the future. On the infield, Farris has got a nice pair of hands, needs to work on going to get the ball and pick his hop more, but the third base spot is where I see him playing the most when he gets. Farris also got a chance to step on the mound during the game and hit an event best 90 mph, the slider was 73-74 with an average spin rate of 2205 rpm, the changeup was 76-77 mph with an average spin rate of 1529 rpm. I like the swing of Farris, he isn’t afraid to take hacks and be aggressive in the box. Farris posted his highest EV of the day at 99.9 mph with an average EV of 93.4 mph, which was one of the highest of the day. Tons of upside in all categories for Farris, going to be a fun summer to follow and see the maturity break out.”

Mason Hackler SS / RHP / Turlock High, CA / 2027

From 6/1/25: “Going into the day, there were a good amount of kids who I’ve yet to get eyes on during the high school season. Hackler was one of those kids and I’m glad I got to finally watch him perform. He’s got some good size, a lean, wiry build but has a lot of time to fill out. Hackler stands at 6’1 180 lbs who can play all over the infield. The actions are there and the speed will get even better as Hackler posted a 6.99 60 YD dash time. His top speed was 19.6 mph and had a vertical jump of 22.4 inches. There is a bunch of potential in the athleticism for Hackler to turn into an elite prospect. During the infield portion of the workout, Hackler was one of the kids who stood out as far as defensive actions. The arm has to improve if Hackler wants to stay on the left side of the infield. Hackler had one of the best left handed bats at the tryout as he led the day with the farthest ball hit at 403 ft, with a max exit velocity of 103 mph, average EV of 88.7 mph. The kid has got some real juice to the middle of the field as well as pull side. The ball just sounds a little different when it comes off of his bat, and with some room to grow and get stronger, Hackler is going to be a dominant force in any lineup he steps in. Hackler also pitches and with his frame there is a lot of potential on the mound too. Hackler’s fastball topped out at 84 mph with an avg fastball velocity of 80.4 mph. There’s a CB/SL mix with the curveball being more of an out pitch for him, 15.7 inches of total movement on the breaking ball. Hackler had a max IVB of 21.8 inches which is very promising for his future if he continues to pitch. The Central Valley continues to bring a plethora of great talent when showing up to NorCal.” 

Wyatt McElree RHP / SS / Redwood High, CA / 2027

From 7/24/25:

Positional Profile: RHP/SS RHP with starter profile. Great shapes on all offerings with real feel for the strike zone.
Body: 6-2, 168-pounds. Lean, athletic frame with room to fill out. Dynamic mover.
Delivery: Works exclusively from the stretch, starting with hands set at the upper chest with minimal movement before syncing with the front leg. Employs a medium-high leg kick and sinks slightly into the back knee before leading down the mound with the front leg, showing solid length to the stride. Displays good feel for blocking with the plant leg and maintains a smooth, controlled tempo throughout the delivery.
Arm Action: RH. Works with a compact, full-circle path out of the glove, initially working behind the back while staying relatively tight to the body. Shows present arm speed as he gets up to a 3/4 release with a consistent slot. Finishes with noticeable recoil upon release.
FB: T92, 90-91 mph. High spin offering that exhibits good life through the zone. Thrown to all four quadrants; lives on the edges of the zone. Generates swing-and-miss at the top of and above the zone. Shows heavy arm-side; misses barrels against RHH. Effective in any count. T2526, 2460 average rpm.
SL: 78-79 mph. High spin SL, with heavy sweeping action and great shape. Works well off FB plane; able to front door in zone to RHH and get chase away. T2705, 2662 average rpm.
CH: 81-81 mph. Displays heavy arm-side run with high spin. Effective below the zone, tunneling off the FB. Out pitch against LHH, with potential to be successful against both sides. T2448, 2423 average rpm.

Cade McElmoyl 3B / RHP / Exeter Union High, CA / 2027

From 7/24/25:

Positional Profile: 3B/RHP Two-way player with potential on the mound. Loud RHH bat, with strong arm suited for 3B.
Body: 6-0, 188-pounds. Physical, developed frame with strength evident throughout build.
Delivery: Starts with hands at the upper chest, dropping slightly to sync with the front leg during the load. Sinks into the back knee while driving down the mound with a long stride. Hips maintain directional well, and he shows great feel to block with the plant leg. Displays smooth and controlled tempo, with repeatable mechanics.
Arm Action: RH. Delivers from a high 3/4 slot with a short and slightly compact arm path. Creates good depth in line with the body while showing looseness and present arm speed. Finishes with slight recoil after release.
FB: T88, 86-87 mph. High spin FB that carries well through the zone. Generates whiffs and induces weak contact at the top of the zone, with great ride present. Works well on the edges, with some late run present when thrown to arm-side. At best when changing eye levels in various counts. T2452, 2282 average rpm.
SL: 76-77 mph. Tight, high spin SL that displays late break. Tunnels well off the FB up, working the pitch in zone. Can run the horizontal movement up, showing more sweep when thrown away to RHH. T2464, 2405 average rpm.
CH: 80-82 mph. Late fading CH, that plays as out pitch to LHH. High spin offering that is best when down in the zone. Generates weak contact and can get whiffs. T2254, 2133 average rpm.

Damien Nolan RHP / 3B / Saint Mary's College High School, CA / 2027

From 6/1/25: “...showcased impressive tools at the Prep Baseball Future Games Tryout in NorCal this past weekend. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound athlete displayed a strong, athletic build, projecting well for future development. His infield velocity topped out at 88 mph, demonstrating a live arm with clean mechanics and consistent accuracy from a high ¾ slot. On the mound, Nolan’s fastball sat 85-87 mph, peaking at 88 mph, with a spin rate averaging 2100 RPM, showing good life and potential for added velocity as he matures. His curveball, ranging 70-72 mph with a 2300 RPM spin rate, exhibited a sharp 11/5 break, generating swings and misses. Nolan’s changeup, at 76-78 mph, complemented his arsenal with deceptive arm speed and late fade. At the plate, he recorded a max exit velocity of 103.9 mph (92.7 mph average) and a max batted distance of 395 feet, highlighting plus power potential with a line-drive, pull-side approach. His 60-yard dash time of 7.2 seconds reflects above-average speed for his size. Defensively, Nolan showed soft hands and fluid footwork in the infield, with the versatility to handle multiple positions. Overall, his combination of raw power, arm strength, and two-way upside makes him a high-follow prospect for the 2027 class. Nolan is also coming back from an arm injury and was only on a 15 pitch count, a fun arm to follow when he’s back to throwing full time.”

Stevie Wellens SS / 2B / Liberty High, CA / 2027

From 7/24/25:

Positional Profile: SS/2B Sure-handed MIF with physical tools present on both sides of the ball. Big upside, coupled with further physical development.
Body: 5-6, 167-pounds. Wiry, athletic frame with room to add strength and overall future growth.
Hit: RHH. Sets up balanced and slightly open with a tall posture. Hands rest at shoulder height with the barrel laid flat on the shoulder, showing a raised back elbow and subtle hand waggle. Begins the load by sitting into the back knee and utilizing a high leg kick, allowing the hands to drift back as the upper half coils. Regains balance while striding forward. Turns hips quickly while sinking into the back leg. Hands stay fairly short with a slight uphill path. Generates good bat speed and shows consistent all fields approach while flashing some pop.
Power: 94 max exit velocity, averaged 86.7 mph. 276' max distance.
Arm: RH. INF-79 mph. Quick and clean transfers allow for a short, quick arm path with aggressiveness in the arm action. Releases from 3/4 slot, with the ability to drop down when necessary. Creates solid depth and online carry through the bag. Arm projects well for the left side of the infield, particularly as frame fills out.
Defense: Shows active footwork with quick reads and a decisive first step. Moves laterally with control and feel, maintaining balance to cover ground efficiently. Displays urgency when needed, with range to stick up the middle. Uses natural athleticism to his advantage, along with hands that work confidently out in front. 

Enzi-Yaw Otieku SS / RHP / Encinal Junior/Senior High, CA / 2029

From 5/10/25: “Otieku had previously participated in the NorCal Elite League scout day and was one of the top performers at that event. Going into this event, Otieku continued to put up great numbers all day and really prove why he is one of the best trending 8th graders in northern California. The 60-yd dash was around the same time as his previous one but he managed to get around a 7.40. Otieku has a shot to be a good shortstop as he gets older, he’s got quick actions and an absolute cannon to go along with an 84 MPH event best infield velocity. On the mound is where Oteku has a future because he has such a quick arm getting his fastball in the range of 78-81 MPH with an avg spin rate of 2164 and the curveball was 65-67 and a spin rate of 1958. The slider was working with some bite with a 2069 spin rate with a lot of swing and misses during the game. Encinal High School is where he will attend next year.”

PEYTON WALLACE OF / LHP / Oakdale High School, CA / 2027

From 10/26/25: “Wallace put together a strong showing, he displayed his athleticism and offensive upside throughout the workout. Standing 5’11” and 170 lbs, the Oakdale High School two-sport athlete (football and baseball) brought a well rounded athletic profile that translated naturally to the diamond. He ran a 7.06 60-yard dash with a 20.0 mph top run speed and a 20-inch vertical jump, showing good burst and body control. His 1.60 RSI max and solid grip strength (RH 118.7 / LH 127.3) further reflected balanced strength and fast-twitch ability. During the offensive portion, Wallace stood out with one of the better rounds of batting practice on the day. He recorded a 101.2 mph max exit velocity, a 92.3 mph average EV, and a 373-foot max distance, all showcasing his ability to drive the baseball with authority. His 73.9 mph max bat speed and quick, explosive hands allowed him to generate whip and backspin through the zone, resulting in hard line drives and consistent loud contact when he’s in rhythm. There’s real life in the barrel, and the swing projects to add more impact as he continues to refine his timing. Defensively, Wallace showed an 80 mph arm from the outfield, pairing it with smooth, athletic movements and solid reads off the bat. His speed, coordination, and arm strength allow him to play comfortably in all three outfield spots, though his range and quickness fit well in center." 

Tyler Brereton 3B / RHP / Arcadia High, CA / 2027

From 2/22/25: “With a physical frame at 6’1” 180lbs, Brereton catches your attention while manning the hot corner where he shows athletic actions along with a strong arm. Made a nice play to the backhand side showing off both his range and arm strength to get a runner at first. Almost made another diving play to the backhand but the ball skipped over the glove and into the outfield. Moves well to both sides while staying low and working up and through the ball. Oozes projection at the plate where it’s a simple approach of knob to the ball with some present power as demonstrated by his deep home run over the 30-foot fence in right field. In an even 1-1 count he turned on a belt high fastball and got all of it for the solo shot. Added a double into the right-center-field gap in his previous at-bat where ambushed a first-pitch fastball that moved a runner to third base. Also scored twice in the game.”